Edinburgh University DNA discovery on Chrohn’s Disease

A GENETIC breakthrough could allow doctors to screen people for Crohn’s disease.

The findings could lead to much-needed treatments for the disease [ALAMY]

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have identified chemical changes in patients with the condition, which could hold clues as to how to fight it.

These changes in the DNA of people with the bowel condition could lead to a simple test for the disease and the possibility of new treatments.

The researchers found that, although several genes have been linked to Crohn’s disease, not everyone who inherits these genes will develop the condition.

Scientists now believe that further research into factors such as the diet and gut bacteria of those with the genes, holds the key to discovering what triggers the illness.

The researchers say that genes that are affected by these changes could be targeted for new treatments.

We hope that the findings will help to identify much-needed treatment opportunities for this debilitating condition

Professor Jack Satsangi, from the Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine at the University of

Professor Jack Satsangi, from the Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, said: “Our study gives the strongest evidence yet that epigenetic changes are involved in Crohn’s disease. The findings provide a potential mechanism whereby diet or other environmental factors may modify genetic material to cause this condition.

“We hope that the findings will help to identify much-needed treatment opportunities for this debilitating condition.”

The chemical changes in genes was revealed in a study involving children with Crohn’s disease in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Glasgow.

The researchers say that, although a DNA test would not be enough to diagnose the disease, it could help to identify those most at risk from developing it.

The study is published in the journal Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Crohn’s, which has no known cure, affects around 25,000 people across Scotland. The symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhoea and severe weight loss.

The disease is a particular problem in children in north of the Border, where the incidence of the disease has increased by 500 per cent in the past 50 years.